Some pig: Critter Barn's Mr. Chops dies at 21

Thursday

Jun 12, 2014 at 12:36 PMJun 13, 2014 at 2:24 PM

By Peg.McNichol@hollandsentinel.com(616) 546-4269

For the first five or so years of his life, Mr. Chops was a house pig.Mary Rottschafer vividly recalls the day he decided to sleep in one of the Critter Barn pens. He'd burrowed under a pile of straw; when she called him to come in, there was no answer. She finally asked, "Are you going to stay in the barn tonight?"From under the straw came two grunts. Rottschafer knew that meant "yes." Mr. Chops would grunt once for "no" or remain silent.The talented hog and one-time star of the Critter Barn's menagerie died June 1. He was 21 years, 348 days old, just a few months too young for a world record.Mr. Chops was considered part of the Rottschafers family. Mary adopted the eight-week-old pig from Gordon and Jean Poest, of Zeeland. Chops grew up as part of Mary Rottschafer's household, which included her three children, Elizabeth, Andrew and Joel, and her husband, Wally.Until the effects of age crept into his body, Mr. Chops and Mary Rottschafer drove all over West Michigan for school visits. He loved cuddling on her lap, performing lots of tricks and being petted. He retired four years ago; a new pig, Jenny Lou, stars in school visits."I run the risk of people thinking I'm a bit bizarre, but Chops was my friend, my coworker," Rottschafer said. "I haven't worked with anybody for that long."Hogs are ranked by zoologists as one of the smartest species, after dolphins and primates, she said.Rottschafer credits Mr. Chops' longevity to a proper diet carefully attended through the years by hundreds of Critter Barn volunteers and veterinarian Dr. Jim Kober. Starting when he turned 10, the Critter Barn has celebrated Mr. Chops' birthday on June 18. This year was to be no different, Rottschafer said.But she saw her friend fading toward the end of May, noting in her journal, "I can't believe this is where we are. Better be ready."She choked up just saying those words Wednesday during an interview with The Sentinel. Then she softly recounted walking by his pen at 6 a.m. May 31. She stopped at the sight of Mr. Chops struggling to make a straw pile for a bed. She grabbed a bunch of fresh straw and climbed into his pen, getting down on her hands and knees to help. Mr. Chops scooted over and began nudging her leg. Mary understood instantly. She sat down. He began crawling into her lap, just like during school tours. He couldn't quite move his back legs, so she helped.For 90 minutes they sat together. She asked him if he liked being there."And it was the two grunts, over and over and it's just like, my gosh," she said, starting to cry. "He was so precious."On June 18, what would have been his 22nd birthday, the Critter Barn will host a celebration of his life. Plans are being finalized, but visitors can expect cake and other light refreshments. Rottschafer said she's planning some type of summer-long tribute to Mr. Chops, for those who can't attend.Critter Barn is a nonprofit educational petting zoo that relies on donations, she said. Already, she's seeing donations in memory of her friend and longtime coworker. Learn more at critterbarn.org or visit the Critter Barn Facebook page, where people are sharing memories and condolences.— Follow this reporter on Facebook and Twitter, @SentinelPeg.